“Life Is Grand” by Camper Van Beethoven

"Life Is Grand" turns up on Camper Van Beethoven's 1988 album Our Beloved Revolutionary Sweetheart, with Dennis Herring producing and David Lowery out front on vocals and guitar. It's a bright, jangling thing, the band's oddball streak tucked neatly inside a tune you can hum on the first pass.

The secret weapon is Jonathan Segel, who handles cittern, mandolin, strings, piano and keyboards, lacing old-world colour through the guitars of Lowery and Greg Lisher. Victor Krummenacher's bass and Chris Pedersen's drums keep the whole contraption bouncing along like a street party with a record collection.

Written with AI assistance from RockLists chart data, MusicBrainz.